City Council seats new members, revisits noise ordinance and park planning

The Lennox City Council met Monday, May 12 at Lennox City Hall. Mayor Danny Fergen and Council members heard agenda items including noise ordinance updates, new council members, and a master park plan.

Discussions continued with Ordinance 658, a noise ordinance to address specific noise issues in Lennox. 

“This ordinance was first discussed, and read, at the April 28 meeting. Since that time, I have met with the owner of Total Stop and the neighbors to that business to discuss the ordinance and its impact. The group recommended removing the zoning restrictions and instead focus on the behavior of the owners/operators of the idling trucks. This version of the ordinance has removed that language and clarified language that specifically referred to Sioux Falls. This does qualify as a substantial change, so we are recommending another first reading,” said City Administrator, Nate Vander Plaats. 

Discussions were held on whether or not the ordinance would interfere with noise ordinances on special events not held by the city, like the 4th of July celebrations and street dances. 

“We don’t want one ordinance conflicting with another,” Lauren Van Driel stated. 

Alderman Billy Welch asked if the ordinance also applied to motorcycles as they return to town past the ordinance time as well. 

“It’s not specifically prohibited, and if it’s something that is not a standing vehicle, it’s continually being used, I think we have a 10- or 15-minute time,” Vander Plaats responded. 

Motion to approve the first reading made by Britney Mower, seconded by Chad Swier, motion carried.

The next order of business was to adjourn the meeting, and Mayor Fergen took the time to thank the current council members. 

“I want to say on behalf of the City Council and our staff, we are very thankful for your guys’ service, and me personally, I want to extend my deepest thanks to Britney [Mower] and Sam [Bowers] for welcoming me on this fun journey, and you were very welcoming. I will miss you. Your dedication goes beyond sitting here and shaping policy and casting votes. You’ve both poured your hearts and soul into the city working far above and beyond what we thought we were going to,” he said. 

With the striking of the gavel, Mayor Fergen called to order the new Lennox City Council member, and welcomed the newest Ward III Alderman, Laura Thiesse by giving her the Oath of Office. 

With no candidates for the Ward I position, the new council must appoint the position. Mayor Fergen asked for a motion to appoint Rob Peterson as the Ward I Alderman, motion by Bill Daugherty, seconded by Welch, motion carried. Peterson also took his Oath of Office and took his new seat.

The first order of business for the new council was to elect a President and Vice President. Alderman Daugherty nominated Chad Swier as President, seconded by Van Driel, motion carried unanimously. Swier made the motion to nominate Bill Daugherty as the Vice President, seconded by Welch, motion carried.

Mayor Fergen asked for the appointment of Brett Lovrien as the City Attorney, motion by Welch, seconded by Van Driel, Motion carried. 

Mayor Fergen asked for the appointment of Stockwell Engineers as City Engineer, motion by Welch, seconded by Van Driel, Motion carried.

Mayor Fergen asked for a motion to designate The Lennox Independent as the City’s newspaper of record, motion by Van Driel, seconded by Welch, motion carried.

The Lennox Park Board has recommended approval of a work order establishing a Master Park Plan. 

“The Lennox Park Board has recommended approval of a work order establishing a Master Park Plan. Over the course of several months this winter, the park board worked with Stockwell to propose a work order establishing this plan. Work is partially board driven and partially of the Council and Mayor. Part of the intent was to include a Master Park Plan in the Capital Improvement Plan or at least the improvements of the Master Park Plan. The work order in front of you for discussion was recommended for approval by the Park Board,” Vander Plaats said. 

Alderman Van Driel asked how long it took Stockwell to get from the discovery phase to drafting the master plan. 

“It takes six to nine months, the survey itself takes about two to three of those months,” said Stockwell Engineer, Mitch Mergen. 

Approximately $70,000 of this project is not budgeted in 2025. Alderman Van Driel asked Vander Plaats if the city would need to pay the money up front or if it would be paid through pay applications. 

“It would be invoiced monthly,” he responded. 

Swier stated there are still seven months left in the year, and while funds may be available in 2nd Penny now, they may be better allocated in the future and to wait until 2026. 

“The challenge on waiting is I can’t publish a new Capitol Improvement Plan until we know what we’re looking at,” Vander Plaats responded. “With our council moving forward and City moving forward with a director of parks and recreation, we’re seeing some new programs,  we’re seeing some new energy and I’m concerned of the timing of this as we don’t have a year in with this new position to see the impact of that, and before I spend more money on a master plan, I’d like to see a level set of where we are with the new head that we’ve added and the energy we’re getting from our community through the programs we’re offering,” said Daugherty. 

The Council agreed to bring this back up for discussion in the fall after the new tennis courts have had time to be used and for the new Parks and Recreation Director to better understand their new position and to weigh in on the conversation.

The City has attempted to acquire the property at 610 S. Garfield Street which will be available at some point in the future. 

“A property that the City has attempted to acquire previously will be available for sale at some point in the future. City Engineer Mitch Mergen and I have discussed this property previously and acquiring it would be a step in the right direction if the Council feels a need to connect these streets. If not, the LADC would be interested in the property currently held by the City of Lennox on West 7th Ave,” Vander Plaats said. 

The council questioned why the property was on the radar of the City. 

“The property owner passed away, sadly, last fall, which is what’s spurring the sale at this point. I haven’t seen it listed yet, but I would assume that at some point in the future it’s going to have to be, and we know who is managing the estate,” Vander Plaats said.

 The Council took no action to move forward with the acquisition.

Vande rPlaats believes City staff would benefit from a high-level discussion on the goals and objectives for the upcoming year. 

“This is something that’s been coming for a while now, and with a new council being seated, I think today is the day to start the discussion. I think City staff would benefit from a high-level discussion of goal objectives for the coming year,” he said.  

Vander Plaats noted that the cost did not need to be high to achieve this. 

“This does not need to be an expensive venture, we’ll have to have a facilitator, but typically, a day of that is not going to be an expensive thing,” he said. 

Vander Plaats has budgeted $13,000 for the process but did not ask for action at this meeting. Alderman Van Driel asked if a objectives retreat has been done since Vander Plaats has been in his position and he responded that it had not. The Council agreed that September would be a better option to discuss the potential of the retreat when the budget is more stable.